Bobcats lining up for run into playoffs

That should make them even hungrier to try to reach the postseason in 2002, and it won't hurt that head coach Tim Duncan will have five offensive starters and six defensive regulars back to help make that charge.

Heading that list of stars is senior quarterback John Cavazos, a 5-foot-10, 170-pounder. His most prominent weapon in the backfield should be Angel Garcia, a 5-10, 165-pound sophomore.

"We're a little down numbers-wise (26), but we're still working on a couple of kids," Duncan said. "We're real happy with our skill guys; the question mark is in the line.

"Our backs and quarterback have above average speed, and our linemen have good, quick feet. We just need to keep them healthy because we don't have the depth."

Defensively, the Bobcats should be formidable also in their 4-3 stack.

Leading the way on that side of the ball are Cavazos at safety; Garcia at defensive back; 5-7, 155-pound junior Michael Gutierrez at defensive back; Holt at defensive end; Jeffcoat at tackle; and Sherrill at linebacker.

If the Bobcats can get a victory or two among District 6-A's elite  Sundown, O'Donnell or Plains  Smyer's nine-year absence from the playoffs could come to an end.

"The kids really deserved to get in the playoffs last year. They did everything we asked of them," Duncan said. "We lost two close games to O'Donnell and Petersburg or we would have been there.

"People told me all summer long how good that Petersburg game was, and hopefully we can take that next step this year."

Outlook

A standard for winning at Smyer was set by Tim Duncan in his first year at the Bobcats' helm. Narrow losses to Petersburg and O'Donnell prevented Smyer from ending a playoff drought last year. However, with a wealth of talent returning, the Bobcats may reach the postseason this year.